Chapter 23
No matter how hard I try to find fault with Peyton, I simply can’t find any. He doesn’t carry the burden of the empire like Clyde, nor is he overly attention-seeking like Adrian.
“Would it be too early to ask for a more casual form of address? I’d prefer to be called Peyton rather than Mr. Graves.”
From 1 to 10, he fits my taste perfectly. They say romance is about personal preference, and my ideal type is right here. While the original author’s preference is the main character Clyde, mine leans towards Peyton as the sub character.
“Of course. Please call me Edith as well. And please, speak more casually.”
His smile, revealing his teeth, was so exquisite that I felt an overwhelming desire to see it for the rest of my life. Should I stamp him as my husband?
There’s nothing stopping me. Getting to know each other just takes time.
The moment I swore I’d never marry a man I didn’t know, my resolve wavered.
Especially between spouses, compatibility is important. Unable to tear my eyes away from Peyton’s face and body, I engaged my dirty mind in imagining a suitable and rational scenario for physical intimacy at night.
“Edith…”
“Peyton.”
While facing each other, I could roughly estimate his height. The main character in the original, Clyde, is already quite tall, but Peyton is even taller. The height difference between her and him was so pronounced that the man’s shoulders rose well above Edith’s head. Between 190 and 200 centimeters? While most people commonly prefer a height around 180 centimeters, she preferred taller. Even her preference in height was perfectly targeted.
She concealed the corners of her mouth, which were splitting from the forced smile she wore for today’s occasion.
Peyton treated her to a fragrant tea while inquiring about her well-being. They leisurely discussed their recent activities. Edith contemplated her tumultuous life in the prince’s palace, while Peyton vented about the challenges of business in the New Continent.
Somehow, as they relaxed and exchanged pleasantries, when it was time to enjoy a violin performance prepared as a welcoming gesture, she found herself halfway breathless.
The firm intention to appear defiant had long been concealed. Her unusually cautious sipping of tea felt unfamiliar.
“Edith, if you’re okay with it, I’d like to see you more often. Time flies when I’m with someone I can converse with so well.”
Was it just empty words or genuine? Perhaps it was evidence that Peyton was falling for her hook, line, and sinker.
“I’d like that too, but I’m busy with work.”
She tried hard to make her expression of regret not sound like a rejection. She also hastily explained how she couldn’t withdraw from being the prince’s personal attendant.
“It might be too early to say this, but I’ve heard nothing but praise for Edith. We even crossed paths at the academy’s graduation ceremony, albeit from a distance. However, there have been some awkward issues with the Ketsumoris, making it difficult to approach you.
Our father is… well, you know.”
He faintly smirked.
“Now that such barriers have disappeared, there’s no reason to hesitate. After hearing the news of your succession to the title, I’ve made up my mind to propose to Edith without reservation.
You seem to hold her in very high regard.”
“I’m merely relaying what my acquaintances have said. So, with that being said…”
Finally, getting to the point, Edith calmly observed him without showing any sign of surprise.
Edith leads the Ketsumoris family regardless of marriage. You hold significance in your own right.
“So if you were to accept my proposal, I’d like to omit the customary bride price that is commonly offered. It’s quite a bold proposal to proceed with marriage without a bride price. In the original world setting, noble heirs usually bring a bride price, but Peyton has boldly skipped that. Considering Edith’s family circumstances, the amount might not be significant to him anyway.
As impressive as this is, an even more surprising proposal followed.
“Furthermore, if you permit, I’d like to borrow the marriage customs of our neighboring country. Along with the marriage, I would like to support our family’s finances in the Ketsumoris estate.”
Financial support?
“We can’t just leave the vast greenhorn territory as it is, can we? It’s a region with great potential. After resolving the debt problem, if you entrust it to my management, I am confident Edith can develop it to the point of self-sufficiency. I’ve heard that in other cultures, there’s a dowry opposite to the bride price. Peyton’s words probably meant that.
When you say entrust the territory, could you please clarify what form you’re referring to? It’s a bit vague.
I won’t touch ownership rights. Naturally, that land belongs to Edith.”
Then…?
“I have a large-scale sugarcane and cotton farm on my estate in the New Continent. I need a base to process and sell them.
Are you saying you’ll engage in processing industries?
Yes, I plan to establish an industrial complex. My estate is too far from the capital, and the greenhorn territory is just a day’s journey away. Plus, it even has a harbor. With such locational advantages, there are many businesses to be developed besides sugar and textiles.”
But most of the land there is used for wheat fields, isn’t it? And the production isn’t bad either.
“It’s regrettable, but we’ll have to let go of what’s received. I hope you’ll accept it as a sacrifice for development.”
The preparation for marriage conditions was apparent.
Edith’s eyes sparkled as she mentally calculated. If the land belongs to her and the buildings to Peyton, should she receive rent? Or should they split the profits proportionally? She wanted to ask more and carefully examine the numbers on the spot.
However, today is the first day Peyton and I have met. We were dressed nicely, just sipping tea. It would usually be more appropriate to meet a few more times before property statements and accounting books come into play.
She focused solely on understanding Peyton’s intentions, deferring the detailed conditions for later consideration.
If he had planned this thoroughly, he could have just proposed the business without the marriage.
“I understand the risks of building my important factory on someone else’s land. If necessary, we can just discuss the business.”
Peyton, who had been explaining without hesitation, suddenly trailed off his sentence. He hesitated for a moment with a somewhat disappointed expression.
“Do you… not like me?”
“Oh, no. It’s not that.”
“There are advantages to having a stable business. But Edith, you are beautiful, with status and recognized capability.”
He presented Edith’s advantages as if proposing to someone with far better conditions. However, such words and actions were clearly a humble approach to continue the marriage negotiation. In reality, when weighing the two households, she fell far short.
Edith sipped her premium tea from the gold-rimmed cup and looked out at the luxurious garden. The stark contrast with her own impoverished household was painfully evident.
If Peyton had prepared so meticulously, he probably also investigated her debt situation. But it was necessary to ensure he knew the details. Hearing the exact amount might make him withdraw from the marriage negotiations altogether.
“Thank you for seeing me favorably despite my shortcomings. But do you happen to know how much debt I have?”
“It must be quite significant. But are you still okay with that?”
He seemed to have anticipated such a conversation, placing his hands on the edge of the table and spoke earnestly.
“As far as I know, the greenhorn land has never been sold. Is that correct?”
Edith calmly nodded.
“To be honest, all the revenue from the estate goes straight to the creditors.”
“Only the revenue? What about the rest?”
“Yes, it’s all just on paper as interest payments.”
Peyton, smiling warmly, seemed like a knowledgeable guide. All his future plans were clear.
“Then I’ll use the support funds I provide to cover the interest first. And once our business is established, we can gradually repay the principal.”
“That sounds reasonable, but are you not burdened by this?”
“I won’t encroach on Edith’s land ownership. Similarly, it might be difficult to touch the debt. But I’ll do my best to help you overcome your difficulties as soon as possible.”
With passionate encouragement, he extended his hand, which she grasped firmly.
His laughter was so radiant that Edith couldn’t help but smile along, brightening up the surroundings. Moreover, every word he said hit the mark perfectly. There was no room for nitpicking.
What I liked most was that he didn’t make unreasonable promises like solving all problems in one go or repaying her light on her behalf. It was a perfect score. After considering everything, it was a mutually beneficial marriage. He gains a noble wife and access to her estate, while Edith escapes poverty and welcomes a handsome husband.
Even though there were some concerns about Peyton being a stranger and not knowing him well enough, there was a worry whether his current demeanor was genuine, considering he was portrayed as a villain in the original work. But the Peyton in front of her was a man brimming with positive energy. It seemed impossible to fake such an impression. His smile, revealing his teeth, was as dazzling as his orange-blond hair color.
“Edith, if your position as a chamberlain is aimed at entering politics, then I’d like to actively support you.”
“Politics?!”
When Edith responded in surprise, he quickly added, “Even if you want to leave the chamberlain position, it’s fine.”
It meant leaving the choice to her.
This man is totally my type.
He was subtly revealing his ambition to dominate both the business and political worlds. Moreover, he implied that he would adhere to the current marriage conditions if she wished.
“I didn’t consider entering politics. Actually, I became a chamberlain to support my family.”
“I see.”
“As for marriage… I’m sorry, but I haven’t thought about it yet. I accepted the invitation out of gratitude to Peyton for contacting me.
He eagerly awaited Edith’s next words with a hint of anxiety.
Thank you for your various offers. But it’s still too early for me. Can you give me enough time to consider it thoroughly?
“Can the marriage negotiations continue?”
“Of course. I really want to consider it seriously.”
Despite coming with the intention of making a scene to break off the marriage negotiations, she felt uneasy about the possibility of Peyton changing his mind. When she glanced hesitantly, their eyes met. Peyton, too, was cautiously observing her. In the awkward atmosphere, Edith rolled her eyes faintly.
Peyton’s composed response was impeccable, as if measured by a ruler.
“I understand. It must have been sudden. That’s fine.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
He glanced at Edith for a moment, pondering something.
He uncrossed his legs, sitting with slightly less formality than before.
Then, how about we test how well we fit together as husband and wife?
“What do you mean?”
Let’s take steps to get to know each other better. You didn’t say this was the end of our marriage negotiations, did you?
